History of the Buddy Walk®

The Buddy Walk® is a day that allows us to honor our family members or friends who have Down Syndrome. It is a great way to celebrate that ALL people are beautiful, capable and loved! The walk is held in conjunction with National Down Syndrome month, which is October.

The Buddy Walk® was created by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.  The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to nearly 300 walks planned for 2010 worldwide.  In 2009, more than $10 million was raised nationwide to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome. It is a wonderful and heart-warming event in which thousands of people from coast to coast and around the world participate each year!

The goal of the Buddy Walk is to promote understanding and acceptance of people with Down syndrome.Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join the Buddy Walk!

The Buddy Walk is the major fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky (DSACK).  Money that the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) receives from the Buddy Walk program goes to support the policy center in Washington, D.C. which works on national initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

DSACK is a volunteer organization comprised of health care professionals, parents and siblings of individuals with Down Syndrome, volunteers and others with an interest in addressing the needs of individuals with Down Syndrome in the Central Kentucky area. DSACK is focused on advocacy, awareness, community education and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. The organization has been in place for over 12 years.

DSACK celebrates that ALL people are beautiful, capable, and loved.  DSACK exists to: Celebrate our Down syndrome community; Support individuals in Central Kentucky with Down syndrome and their families; Educate the Central Kentucky community; Assist in local and national research efforts.